Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which consists in deformation and destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint, as a result of which the structure and functions of the cartilage are disturbed.The disease has many names - gonoarthrosis, deforming osteoarthritis.The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint does not have a clear scheme or a single drug that could equally help all those who suffer from this problem.Since arthritis is a progressive disease, it is more often seen in women who are overweight, have venous disease, and the elderly.Treatment is carried out and prescribed individually for each patient.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be unilateral or bilateral (depending on whether the disease develops in one or both legs).At the first symptoms, it is necessary to resort to adequate treatment, as neglecting this problem can lead to the final destruction of the cartilage and the exposure of the bone and, as a result, to human disability.

There are three stages of the disease:

1. The initial stage of knee osteoarthritis is characterized by a loss of shock-absorbing properties and, as a result, the cartilage rubs against each other when moving, causing severe discomfort to the patient.The cartilage becomes rough, deformed, dries up and in advanced stages of the disease is even covered with cracks.
2. Due to reduced depreciation, bone deformation begins, which leads to the formation of osteophytes (growths on the surface of bones) - this is the second stage of the disease.The new joint membrane and capsule are also subject to deformation, the knee joint gradually atrophies due to stiffness of movement.There is also a change in the density of synovial fluid (it becomes thicker, thicker), poor circulation and deterioration of the supply of nutrients to the knee joint.Thinning of the lining between the cartilaginous joints reduces the distance between the articulating bones.
3. The disease progresses rapidly and quite quickly passes into the third stage, when the patient is practically unable to move due to constant pain in the knee.Global and irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissue, leading to human disability.

Most often, arthropathy or gonoarthrosis develops after an injury or bruise, while a person feels constant severe pain in the knee, which significantly hinders his movements.

Reasons for the development of joints

Arthropathy of the knee joint, the treatment of which takes quite a long time, can occur due to the following factors:

1. Genetic predisposition.
2. Injuries: dislocations, bruises, fractures.When treating an injured knee, the joint is fixed and the person cannot bend or straighten the leg for a certain period of time.This leads to a deterioration of blood circulation, which most often causes the development of post-traumatic gonoarthrosis.
3. Meniscus removal.
4. Excessive physical activity that is not appropriate for the person's age, leading to injuries or microtraumas, as well as hypothermia of the joints.For example, running on asphalt or squatting is not recommended for the elderly, since during these exercises there is a significant pressure on the knee joint, which wears out with age and cannot withstand such loads.
5. Overweight and obesity.This factor leads to damage to the menisci, injuries of which cause the development of knee joints.
6. Loose links or weak links.
7. Arthritis or other acquired joint diseases.The inflammatory process can cause an accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity or edema.This causes the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the knee, leading to arthropathy of the knee joints.
8. Metabolic disorders in the human body.An insufficient amount of calcium significantly worsens the condition of bone and cartilage tissue in the human body.
9. flatfeet.Improper foot structure shifts the center of gravity and the load on the joint becomes greater.
10. Stress and nervous tension.

Knee joint symptoms

The clinical picture of the disease has the following symptoms:

1. Painful sensations.The pain appears suddenly, depending on the physical load on the knee joint.Painful sensations can be of a different nature.In the initial stage, this is a weak lumbar region, to which a person usually does not pay much attention.Periodic mild pain can be experienced for months, and sometimes years, until the disease progresses to a more aggressive stage.
2. Visible knee deformity.This symptom appears in the later stages.At first, the knee looks swollen or swollen.
3. Accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity or Baker's cyst.This is a dense formation on the back wall of the knee joint.
4. Squeezing of the joints.Sharp twitches, accompanied by pain, are observed in patients in the second and third stages of the disease.
5. Inflammatory reactions in the articular synovium, causing the cartilage to swell and increase in volume.
6. Joint mobility is reduced.It was observed in later stages.Bending the knee becomes almost impossible and is accompanied by severe pain.In the final stage, the knee can be completely immobilized.A person's movement becomes difficult or completely impossible (some patients move with bent legs).

Treatment of arthropathy of the knee joint

The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint must be comprehensive.To date, there is no medical drug that relieves this disorder.One of the most important conditions for successful treatment is early diagnosis.The earlier treatment for knee arthropathy begins, the greater the chance of prolonging the remission period and preventing destruction and deformation of the cartilage and bone tissue.

During the treatment, the doctor and the patient face several tasks:

1. Eliminate or reduce pain.
2. Establish the supply of nutrients to the knee joint and thus increase its recovery function.
3. Activation of blood circulation in the knee joint.
4. Strengthen the muscles around the joint.
5. Increased joint mobility.
6. Try to increase the distance between the hinge bones.

The treatment of the disease, depending on the stage of its development, can be conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs

To relieve or reduce pain, the patient is usually prescribed a number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These can be tablets, ointments and injections.Among the most common pain relievers are the following.These drugs can be used in two ways - orally or topically.

Usually, patients prefer topical treatment in the form of gels, ointments and heating pads.The action of these painkillers does not appear immediately, but after a few days (about 3-4 days).The maximum effect is achieved after a week of regular use of the drug.Such drugs do not treat the disease as such, but only relieve the pain, since it is impossible to start treatment for the pain.

Painkillers should be taken strictly according to the doctor's instructions.they should only be used for severe pain, as prolonged and frequent use can lead to side effects and even accelerate the destruction of joint cartilage.In addition, with long-term use of these drugs, the risk of side effects increases, such as stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcer, disruption of the normal function of the liver, kidneys and allergic manifestations in the form of dermatitis.

hormones

Sometimes, in the treatment of arthropathy of the knee joint, a course of hormonal drugs is prescribed.They are prescribed if NSAIDs are no longer effective and the disease itself begins to progress.Most often, hormonal drugs for the treatment of this disease are used in the form of injections.

The course of treatment with hormonal drugs is usually short and is prescribed during a severe flare-up, when inflammatory fluid accumulates in the joint.The hormone is injected into the joint about once every ten days.

Carboprotectors

To restore and nourish the cartilage tissue in the early stages of the disease, a course of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, the so-called chondroprotectants, is prescribed.This is by far the most effective treatment for arthritis.They have almost no contraindications and side effects occur in rare cases.

Vasodilators

To relieve spasm of small vessels, improve blood circulation and supply nutrients to the knee joint, as well as eliminate vascular pain, vasodilators are prescribed.They are crushed together with chondroprotectors.If knee arthrosis is not accompanied by fluid accumulation, the use of warming ointments, gels and liquids is also recommended.

Therapeutic exercise

A course of exercise therapy can be very useful and bring good results only when prescribed by a doctor and carried out under supervision, according to the recommendations of a specialist or trainer.Self-medication is dangerous to health.Exercise therapy is used to further prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue, slow the development of stiffness, and relax muscle spasms that cause pain.During periods of exacerbation, exercise therapy is contraindicated.A course of special individual exercises, which take into account not only the stage of the disease and the condition in which the cartilage is, but also the age of the patient, should be developed by an expert in this field.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is used as one of the methods of conservative treatment - electrophoresis, laser therapy, acupuncture, transpotential currents, UHF.A program of local massage also gives positive results.Physiotherapy methods act in several directions - they relieve pain, reduce inflammation, normalize the metabolism inside the joint and restore its normal functions.The method and duration of physiotherapy is determined by the patient's medical history and is prescribed only after a thorough diagnosis and study of the condition of the joints.

Analgesic physical therapy includes:

1. Medium wave UV radiation (SUV radiation).The contact of the UV light with the skin of the knee continues until a slight redness appears.Substances are formed in the tissues that soften the sensitivity of nerve fibers, due to which the analgesic effect is achieved.The duration of the course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor depending on the symptoms, frequency and severity of the pain.On average, the course of treatment is about 7-8 sessions.
2. Local magnetic therapy aimed at the overall restoration of the patient's body.This process relieves inflammation, eliminates pain and neutralizes muscle spasms.It is effectively used for arthropathy of the knee joint in the initial stages.The course of treatment is usually limited to 20-25 procedures, each of which takes about half an hour.
3. Infrared laser therapy, UHF low intensity therapy, centimeter therapy (SMV therapy).
4. Ultrasound, darsonvalization, therapeutic baths, interference therapy, which is prescribed to improve blood circulation in the joint.

Resort grooming is of no small importance.This treatment is prescribed for deforming and dystrophic osteoarthritis.This treatment, like those mentioned earlier, has its contraindications, so the attending physician carefully examines the patient's medical history before recommending the health resort method.

Surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

It is a radical method of treating knee arthrosis, which partially or fully restores the function of the joint.The methods and forms of surgery depend on the degree of joint damage, as well as on the patient's medical history.

Late arthropathy of the knee joint can only be treated surgically - the knee joint is completely or partially replaced with an endoprosthesis.Surgical treatment allows not only to improve well-being, but also to restore the patient's ability to work in the last stages of knee arthropathy.Many consider the long recovery period with the use of exercise, mechanical therapy and other means to be a significant disadvantage of the operation.

There are several types of surgery for knee arthropathy:

Prevention of knee arthritis

In order to avoid this disease, people at risk (athletes, elderly, overweight, business workers) must follow certain guidelines:

1. Proper nutrition and fighting excess weight.It is necessary to exclude unhealthy foods from your diet - fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol, and it is better to consult a nutritionist who will help you choose a suitable diet.
2. When playing sports, monitor the load on your joints and reduce it if necessary.
3. Monitor your health and treat infectious diseases in time, preventing them from becoming chronic.
4. Timely and adequate treatment of spinal diseases, if any, development of correct body posture.
5. Sports activities (cycling, swimming, walking, special gymnastics exercises for the joints).
6. No self-medication!At the first symptoms of knee arthritis, go to the clinic.
7. Avoid stress, good sleep.
8. Systematically increase your immunity (harden up or at least take a series of vitamins 2-3 times a year).
9. Avoid hypothermia of the body, especially the lower extremities.

A healthy lifestyle and early treatment are the best ways to prevent knee arthritis.